Fracture apparatus



Oct. 1.6,' l945. l.. A. s'rRArrs FRACTURE APPARATUS Filed may 25,. 1944 fa I '1 /oye' A.

s. i l

V TOR t Patented Oct. 16, 1945 UNITED lSTATES PATENT OFFICE FRACTURE APPARATUS Lloyd A. Straits, Washington, D. C. Application May 25, 1944, serial Nb. 537,257 iiciaims. (ci. 12s-s4) This invention relates to fracture apparatus but is particularly directed to a splint for fractures of the arms, legs and other members of the body.

In fracture apparatus of this type it is necessary in setting the fractures to apply extension or stretching t'o the'limbs or other injured members to adjust the fractured ends of the bones while bandages or splints are applied.

Recognizing this necessity, the present invention combines, in a unitary structure, means for applying extension or stretching and other means for rigidly holding the bones in properly adjusted lposition while knitting of the fracture occurs.

In accomplishing the foregoing, provision is made for simultaneously applying extension in order that the ends of the fractured bones may be properly adjusted and for forcing the splint firmly against the limb so that movement of the fractured ends of the bone is entirely eliminated.

An` object, therefore, of the present device is to provide a simple, combined extension device and splint which may be easily and quickly applied or removed, especially under adverse conditions such as are encountered in the field where facilities for such operation are hard to obtain and still more difficult to apply.

Another object is to produce a combined extension appliance and splint that may be readily transported. To this end, the appliance of the present invention may be rolled or folded so 'as to vrequire minimum space for storage and which, therefore, may be readily carried as ypart of the ordinary equipment of medical corpsmen, nurses or the like.

A further object is to produce a device inwhich pneumatic or other iiuid pressure is used to effect' the extension and to simultaneously forcibly hold the splints in firm engagement with the fractured member to immobilize the same during healing. If desired heated fluid may be employed where application of heat is desired.

An additional object of the present invention is the production of a device of the character described, in which the weight of the apparatus is reduced to a small fraction of the weight found in similar known equipment so that the same may be worn with' greater comfort and will not hamper reasonable movements of the fractured limb als distinguished from the 'present day heavy plaster cast and similar appliances.

The extension apparatus and splint heredescribed are also designed so that the injured member is engaged somewhat resiliently by boththe extension appliance andv the splint, Whilefatthe same time preventing such movement of thefraction.

ture as to cause separation of the bones during healing. I Y

More specific objects of this invention will become'apparent `from the following description l when construedin the light of the accompanying drawing, and the important characteristics are set out in the claims.

In the annexeddrawing:

Figure 1 is -a plan view of my invention in its flattened condition and before application to the fractured limb.

` Figure 2 is a side View of the combined extension apparatus and splint in its applied condi- Fi-gure 3 is a sectional view taken along the lines 3 3 of Figure 2 but in reversed position.

' Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view on a reduced scalethrough the splint structure.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view illustrating the operating mechanism for the extension applying means.

` ReferringY more vspecifically to the drawing, there is indicated a splint structure generally designated bythe reference character I0.

This splint structure comprises a pocketed member`made up of a layerof liexible facing fabric, or the like, as indicated at v I I. A series of arcuate 'ri-gid'spli'nt boards I2 lie adjacent the facing fabric'l I and are suitably spaced from each otherl as indicated in Figure 3. The splint structure is compieted by a backing layer of fabric similar to II as shown at I3,

The iayersof fabric II and I3 are secured to each other at theirv side margins by stitching,

gluing or tue like as at I4 and may be lisewise secured at both'ends as indicated at I5, although this is notessential in all cases. By leaving one or both ends of the fabric unsecured, the splint boards I2 may be'readily inserted or removed.

' ture, depending upon the nature of the fracture and the limb involved.

The splint structure is applied to the fractured limb simply by wrapping the' same about the injured member so as to bridge the fracture and securing it in this position by means of tapes,

stretching must be applied to the limb on opposite sides of the fracture in order that the fractured ends of the bones may be properly adjusted. .This .force must be applied in opposite directions on. opposite sides of the fracture so as to 4tend to separate the fractured ends of the bones.

This is accomplished in the present invention by means of an inflatable envelope or. bag I9 which shall now be described. Y,

The envelope or bag I9 is made of rubber,` rub-v berized fabric or other iiexiblaextensible, inf'.

flatable material and consists of two sheets 2D and 2i, which are stitched, glued or otherwise secured together at theillllargins, as seen at 22, to form a chamber 23 for the receptionv o f air for llnflating the envelope. i9.

Inaton maybe accomplished by means' of` a tube .24, communicating with the `chamber 23 and vbeing held against the side of the bag by a strap`25. The bag I9 may be inflated by mouth,y

pump or by attaching a capsule of carbon dioxide gas to the tube ZlLit being understood that anysuitable checkvalve is used to prevent escape of air from the bag I9 through the tube 24.

The bag IS is wider than the splint structure I8 as seen in Figurelan'd vhas its inner'wall 20 gluedv or otherwise attached to the backing fabf ric i3 of the splint Astructure I0- so that the bag llan'd the splint structure I0 are permanently securedtcgether to forma simple, readily applicable and'light weight vfracture apparatus.Y

In order that the fractured ends of the. bones may be adjusted'for proper alignment and posi- Y tioning", extension or stretching'is applied to the limbs as previously described. 'This is accomplished'by the present invention in'an extremely facile manner by uniting to th'ebag or envelope I9 a plurality `rof light weight cylinders 'as indicated at-ZS and 21. rhThese cylinders are carried by looped brackets 28 and 29,' secured to the bag i9 -atpointsspaced -longitudinally of the cylin' ders although of course` they maybe secured in any rdesired manner. YWhile only'two of the "cylinders 2G-'and 21 Aare illustrated'as being posi' tioned on opposite sides ofthe-bag I9, it will be understood that any-desirednumber maybe used and `their lposition is optional so long as they will supplythe proper extension to the inf juredlimb. f .r Y

Reciprocating in each cylinderv is a pair ef pistons :wand 3l.carried by rods y32and 33 which extend Vaxially of .the-cylinders and project from opposite. ends. thereof as indicated at 34 and 35. 'lvheendsiof the rods. are offset as. at 35 .and v3l in the directionofthe limb being treated so as.

to lie oloselyadiacent thereto.

fijne free ends of the rods are secured to the fractured limb by straps 3,8 and 3.9 attached toy the endsor the rods and are adapted. to encircle the limb onv opposite sides 0f the fracture...

' It will be seen from `the foregoingthat as the.

pistons 33 and 3l. move awarfrom each. ailier,A

posite directions by means of a collapsible bellows 40, housed in each of the cylinders 26 and 21 and located between the pistons 30 and 3|. Expansion of the bellows is conned to the direction of the length of the cylinders and consequently moves the pistons 30 and 3i in opposite directions.

Air or other uid pressure is supplied to the bellows 43 through a suitable conduit here illustrated aS. a hollow rivet 4I secured to the bag I9 by a' flange 4 2 and projecting through aligned openings 43 in the cylinder 26 and bellows 40 to which it is fastened by a iiange 44.

It will thus be seen that as the bag I9 is inflated, the air therefrom passes through the hollow rivet 4l into the bellows 40 and expands the same so as to force the piston rods 32 and 33 in opposite directions to apply the proper extension or stretch to the afflicted limb.

' The combined extension appliance and splint is readily and quickly applied by rst wrapping the splint structure about the fractured limb and securing it in position by the tapes I8. The bag i9 is simultaneously wrapped with the splint structure land, the edges of the bag are secured together by means of a separable fastener such asthe well lgnown zipper fastener. This fastener comprises interengaging members 45 and 46, secured along respective edges of the bag, the interengaging members being interlocked with each other by means of a Slide 4l in conventional manner.

The appliance is applied so that. the splint structure lies next to the leg, or other limb, and extends across the fracture. The extension rods are then strapped to the injured limb above and.

below thefracture'by the straps 38 and 39. The appliance is then ready for ination.

v'I.hi s is accomplishedby forcing airthrough the tube 24 either orally, by pump or from a carbon. diQXlde cartridge attached thereto. Air owing through the tube 24 inates the bag 9 and forces the splint boards rmly into position, it being noted as shown in Figure 3 that the splint boards are so spaced and shaped that the edges lie closely adjacent to each other to form in effect a Vcomplete cylindrical splint.

.At`the same time that the splint is being forced into proper position to immobilize the fractured ends of the bones, air is also passing into the bellows 40, causingv opposite movement of; the

rods 32 and 33 and consequently applying extension or stretching inthe desired manner so that the fractured ends of the bones are brought into proper position where they are firmly held by the splint structure. l

lt, Will thus be seen that one of the outstanding features of the present invention: resides in the fact that the simultaneous application of stretching and application of. the splint structure to immobilize the fractured .joint is 'accomplished. Furthermore, it is apparent that the foregoing operations are' performed quickly and easil,r by the simple expedient Vof strappingV the splint. and its'surrounding inflatible bag around the fractured limb Vand then in ating the bag, Y

understood that changes in size, materials, and

other details of construction may be resorted to so long as they fall within the spirit and scope or the invention as claims. Y

Iclaim;

defined by the appended members, comprising a splint structure, extension applying means carried by said splint structure, means for securing the splint structure and extension applying means to the fractured member and means for simultaneously forcing the splint against the fractured member and applying tension thereto.

2. Fracture apparatus for legs, arms or similar members, comprising a splint structure, extension applying means carried by said splint structure, means for securing the splint structure and extension applying means to the fractured member and pneumatic means for simultaneously forcing the splint against the fractured member and applying tension thereto.

3. Fracture apparatus comprising a splint structure, inflatable means surrounding said splint structure and operable to force the splints into firm engagement with the fracture member to immobilize the same, andy extension means attached to the inflatable means and operable by the inflation of the inflatable means to apply tension to the injured member on opposite sides of the fracture.

4. Fracture apparatus comprising a splint structure, an inflatable member secured to and surrounding the splint structure when the same is applied, extension means carried by-the inilatable member and means for operating said extension means chamber communicating with said inflatable member and being expandible upon inflation of the inflatable member.

5. Fracture apparatus comprising a splint structure, said structure consisting of spaced layers of flexible material secured together at their margins to form an enclosure, a plurality of spaced arcuate rigid splint boards in said enclosure and a flexible bag secured to the outer wall of said splint structure and operable upon inflation to forcibly press the rigid splint boards against the fractured member to immobilize the same.

6. Fracture apparatus comprising a splint structure consisting of a flexible envelope havi ing rigid splint boards therein and capable of being wrapped about a fracture member, an inflatable bag secured to the outer wall of the splint structure and surrounding the same when the splint structure is applied, extension mechanism carried by said bag and means for securing said extension mechanism to the fractured memberl on opposite sides of the fracture, said extension mechanism being operated to apply tension when said bag is inflated.

'7. Fracture apparatus comprising a flexible splint structure consisting of spaced layers of fabric with intermediate rigid splint boards` spaced from each other and forming substantially a cylindrical splint when applied to a fractured member, an inflatable bag surounding said splint structure and having its'free edges secured together by a separable fastener means for 1nflating the bag, extension mechanism carried by said bag and comprising a plurality of cylinders, pistons slidably mounted in said cylinders and operable to move in opposite directions, means for connecting said pistons to the fractured member above and below the fracture and means for moving the pistons in opposite directions.

8. Fracture apparatus comprising a flexible splint structure provided with rigid splint boards, said structure being capable of being wrapped comprising an expansible :r

around a fractured member, an inflatable bag surrounding said splint structure and operable upon ination of the bag to force the splint structure into firm engagement with the fractured member, spaced cylinders carried by said bag, means for affording communication between the interior of said bag and the interior of said cylinders, pistons movable in said cylinders in opposite directions and carrying means thereon for connecting the same with the fractured member above and below the fracture, said pistons being moved in opposite directions upon inflation of the bag.

9. Fracture apparatus comprising a splint structure embodying spaced sheets of exible material secured together at their margins, said structure provided with spaced rows of stitching extending the full length thereof to provide individual pockets for a plurality of rigid splint boards, said boards being arcuate in formation so as to form a substantially cylindrical splint when the structure is wrapped about a fractured member, an inflatable bag surrounding said splint structure when in applied position, cylinders carried by said inatable bag and being provided with spaced pistons movable in said cylinders in opposite directions, means affording communication between the interior of the inatable bag and the cylinders and a bellows interposed between the spaced pistons and receiving fluid from the bag when the bag is inflated, said pistions carrying means for securing the same to a fractured member above and below the fracture.

10. Fracture apparatus comprising a splint structure consisting of spaced sheets of fabric secured together at their side margins and being provided with a plurality of adjacent pockets, a rigid splint board carried in each pocket, and having arcuate form so as to form substantially a cylindrical splint surrounding the fractured member when the splint structure is wrapped thereabout, means for retaining said splint structure in its wrapped condition, an inflatable bag surrounding said splint structure when in applied condition and having its free edges secured together by means of a separable fastener, extension members attached to said bag comprising means for applying stretch to the injured member on opposite sides of the fracture, said members including tapes encircling the injured member above and below the fracture for securing the extension members in place.

11. Fracture apparatus comprising a splint structure, including spaced sheets of flexible material secured together at their side margins and being provided with spaced rows of stitching between the margins to form individual pockets extending longitudinally of the splint structure,

' ence of said splint structure when in applied position and extension mechanism carried by said last-named means and secured to the injured member above and below the fracture whereby tension may be applied to said injured member simultaneously with the application of pressure to the splint structure.

LLOYD A. STRAITS. 

